Coil handling apparatus



Sept. 22, 1-942. 2,296,683

M. MORGAN ET AL COIL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVEJsITORs NYLES MORGAN LEONARD w. NASH aawwg.

ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1942. M. MORGAN ETAL v COIL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 sw Ram V ORW mm ms NBA T JLANVMA E MLN-w Sept. 22, 1942. M. MORGAN 12m.

COIL HANDLI NG APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. '15, 1939 F. 8 INVENTORS 14 MYLES MORGAN LEONARD w. NASH B YW% ATT RNEY p 22, 2- M".- MbRGAN E 2,296,683

CO IL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1959 a Sheets-Sheet s @WA IH 1N VE N TOR 5 MYLES NOR G'AN LEONARD PM NASH AT TORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 M. MORGAN ETAL con, HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 15, 1939 Sept. 22, 1942.

JNVENTORS MYLEs MORGAN LEONARD M NASH Ma W ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1942 COIL HANDLING APPARATUS Myles'Morgan, Worcester, Mass., and Leonard W. Nash, Damascus, Ohio, assignors to Morgan Construction Company, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts and to E. W. Bliss Company, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 15, 1939, Serial No. 256,534

4 Claims.

This invention relates to coil handling apparatus, and more particularly to an improved apparatus for transferring coils of rolled metal strip from a coiling mechanism at the delivery side of a roll stand to the inlet side of the roll stand for a second pass between the rolls.

In many cases these coils are very happy, and in order to facilitate their handling and at the same time protect them from damage it has been proposed heretofore to form the coils n flanged metal spools which are supported, during the coiling operation, on a horizontal rotatable arbor located at the delivery side of the rolling mill. After a coil is completed and removed from the ar-bor it is necessary to place an empty spool upon the ar'bor before the next coil can be started. This pause in the rolling operation results in a substantial reduction in the capacity of the rolling mill and increases the cost of the manufactured product. The spools are necessarily of very rugged construction, and their cost is considerable. Moreover, it has been found necessary to utilize power driven-conveyors to transfer the filled spools from one side of the mill to the other. Since these conveyors must be of great length in order to provide sufficient storage capacity for the coils between successive reductions, they are very expensive to manufacture and install, and they require considerable power for their operation. After completion of the rolling it is necessary to re-wind the coils in order to separate them from the spools.

It is accordingly one object of the invention to provide a comparatively simple, inexpensive and efficient apparatus for handling metal coils for the purpose of obtaining successive reductions in the thickness of metal strip by rolling.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus whereby successive reductions in the thickness of metal strip by rolling may be facilitated, and whereby the metal may be handled safely and efiiciently after each reduction without utilizing spools.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus whereby metal strip may be returned to a roll stand for successive reductions in thickness by rolling followed by coiling, and whereby ample storage capacity may be obtained for the coils between reductions, all without utilizing long power driven conveyors.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention and in which like refassociated apparatus, the mill housing being shown in horizontal section;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-- 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line. 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken on the line l1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 1, with certain parts in a different position;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the parts in a different position of adjustment;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section on the line I l-I l of Fig. 1, showing the elevating mechanism in its lowered position;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 12 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section on the line I3l 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the location of certain limit switches;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic elevation showing the location of certain limit switches; and

Fig. 16 is a diagram of certain electrical circuits.

The embodiment illustrated comprises a horizontal rolling mill 20 suitably constructed to reduce the thickness of fiat metal strip, this mill being preferably of the four-high type. The strip is delivered to the mill in the form of hollow cylindrical coils. In order to support these coils while they are being unwound there is provided at the inlet side of the mill a suitable horizontal arbor 2| which is rotatably supported in suitable bearings in a frame 22. The arbor overhangs the frame so that the coils can be readily mounted thereon. It is usually desirable to apply a back tension to the strip as it is being rolled. For this purpose the arbor 2| is preferably of the expanding. type adapted to grip tightly against the inner surface of the hollow coil, and a suitable brake 23 (Fig. 8) is applied to the arbor shaft to resist turning thereof as the coil is unwound. The arbor may be expanded and contracted in a wellknown manner by means of a suitable fluid-actuated reciprocating motor 24.

The coils may be delivered to the arbor 2| by any suitable means. In the drawings there is shown an inclined chute 26 down which the coils may roll, with their axes parallel to the axis of the arbor. As shown in Fig. 1, the chute 26 is offset horizontally from the arbor so that the coils may roll from the lower end of the chute on to a transfer car 21 arranged to move them axially and place them upon the arbor. In Fig. l the receiving position of the" car is-in'dicated by the broken lines. In order to control the escape of the coils from the chute, a set of dogs 28 is provided at the lower end of the chute, and a second set of dogs 29 is spaced upwardly along the slope from the first set. Both sets of dogs are pivotally mounted on thechute, as shown particularly in Fig. 7, so that they may be swung upwardly into the path of the coils or downwardly out of the'path' of the coils, and the two sets are spaced apart a distance approximating the outside diameter of the coils. Ihelower dogs 28 are controlled by a fluid-actuated reciprocating motor 31} and suitable mechanical linkage 3 I, and the upper dogs 29 are controlled by a fluid-actuated reciprocating motor 32 and suitable mechanical linkage 33. It will be apparent that by lowering the'dogs 28while the dogs 29 are raised, and vice versa, the coils may be delivered one at a time to the transfer car 21,

I Referring now to Figs? and 8, it will be seen that the car 27 is provided with wheels 35 which engage a pair of rails 36 forming a track along which the car may be moved by means of a fluidactuated reciprocating motor 3?. At the top of the car there is provided a table 38 having a series of horizontal rollers 39 thereon wtih' their axes parallel to the arbor 2 l. The rollers are arrangedsuccessively at slightly lower elevations to provide an upper surface inclined downwardly from the chute 26, for a purpose which will subsequently be made clear. The rollers 39 support a sled 40' having a flat bottom and a pair of spaced parallel cleats or upstanding ribs Al onits upper surface arranged to provide a troughin which a 0011 may rest. This's'led engages the outer cylindrical surface of the coil, and it is preferably made of wood so that no' scratching or marring of the coil will occur. In order to retain the sled in place despite the sloping arrangement of therollers; a stop 42 is provided to engage the sled at the lower side thereof, as shown in' Fig. '7. This stop may be withdrawn by a vertically slidabl'e pin d3 which is normally held in its upper position by a spring 44. The table 38 is arranged to be raised and lowered as desired, and for this purpose it is supported by a vertical plunger G which slides in a cylinder 46 in the car 21'. The car is also provided with an oil reservoir 41, a pump 48 and a motor 49 to drive the pump. By starting the motor and pump, oil from the reservoir can be forced into the cylinder 45, raising the plunger 45' and the table 38. The lowering of the table is effected by exhausting oil from the cylinder under the control of a suitable valve mechanism 50 actuated by a solenoid 5|. On the front of the table 38 there is provided a bracket 52 adapted to engage the outer end of the coil and ensure its proper disposition on the arbor 21. It will be apparent that after a coil has been placed upon the arbor the table 38 will be lowered slightly and the car' 21 will be moved outwardly along the track 35 and into line with the chute 26, so that another coil may be delivered to the car.

After the metal strip has been reduced in thickness by the mill 2% it is again formed into a hollow cylindrical coil, which preferably has substantially the same inside and outside diameters as the original coil. For this purpose there is provided at the outlet or discharge side of the mill a ceiling mechanism 54 (Figs. 1 and 4) of any suitable and well-known construction. This coiler 54 comprises a horizontal rotatable arbor 55 driven by a suitable source of power and arranged'tc maintain a tension in the strip issuing from the mill while winding the strip into a tight coil. This arbor is preferably of the over-hung collapsible type. In order to remove the completed coils'from the arbor 55 there is provided a transfer car 56 similar to the car 21 and equipped with wheels 5'! which engage spaced parallel rails 53 forming a track. The car 56 may be moved back and forth along this track by means of a fluid-actuated motor 59 (Fig. 1').

At the top of the'car 56 there is provided a table 68 which supports a frame 6| having rollers 62 mounted therein' with their axes parallel to the mill rolls 2B. The table 60 can be raised and lowered as desired by suitable means (not shown) which may be similar to'the mechanism utilized on the car 21 for actuating the table 38'. The frame fil' is secured to the table 60 by means of aligned pivot pins 64 (Fig. 12) with their axes parallel to the axes of the rollers 62, so that the frame may swing through a slight angle about the pins; In this manner the surface afforded by the tops of the rollers can be made to incline slightly downwardto'either'side of the car. Normally this surface is made to incline downwardly toward the side of the car opposite that on which the mill 20 is located, and afixed stop E55 is provided on that side of the frame 61' to retain the sleds 49 in position thereon. To discharge the sleds from the car 56, means is provided to tilt the frame 6| in the opposite direction when the car is moved into alignment with a gravity conveyor 6'! (Figs. 1- and 4) of the idler roller type which slopes downwardly from the frame 6|. This conveyor islocated on the same side of the car 58- as the mill 2i], and extends at right angles with thetrack 53; For the purpose of tilting the frame 6| there is provided a cam roller 68 (Figs. 12 and 13) on the frame arranged to engage a stationary cam 69 located at the upper end of the conveyor 6?. The conveyor 6'? is preferably of considerable length so that it may provide storage space for a large number of coils, each carried on a supporting sled.

Means is provided to return the coilsfrom the lower end of the conveyor 61 to the inlet side of the rolling mill, and for this purpose there is provided a second gravity conveyor H of the idler roller type arranged parallel with the conveyor 61 and at the side thereof toward the mill. The upper end of the conveyor H is laterally adjacent to the lower end of the conveyor 61' but at a higher elevation, and the two conveycrs'slope in opposite directions. The lower end of the conveyor H is so located that the transfer car 21 may be moved into line therewith, as shown in Fig. 1.

In order to transfer the loaded sleds from the conveyor 6'! to the conveyor N there is provided an elevating mechanism 12 located at the lower end of the conveyor 61 and in line therewith. This elevator comprises a table 73' (Fig. 9) which can be raised or lowered as desired by means of a vertical plunger 14 of the fluid-actuated type. The oil for actuation of the plunger may be supplied by a pump driven by a motor 16, the motor being operated in the reverse direction when the elevator is to be lowered. The table 13 is provided with a pair of upstanding transverse webs 18, (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) extending at right angles .to the conveyor 61, and each formed with two vertical slots 19. Above the table 13 there is provided a platform 88 having a pair of depending transverse webs 8| each formed with two horizontal slots 82. At assembly the webs 8| are located adjacent the webs 18, and horizontal rods or bolts 83 are passed through the slots 19 and 82. With this construction the platform 88 is allowed a limited lost motion relative to the table 13, not only transversely thereof but also vertically, for a purpose which will be made clear hereinafter. The platform 88 serves to support a plate 85 having several spaced parallel upstanding webs 88 thereon which extend at right angles to the conveyor 61., On each of the webs 86 there is mounted a row of short rollers 81 arranged with their axes in line with the conveyor 81. Between the rows of short rollers 81 there ar provided long transverse rollers 88, at right angles with the short rollers, and journaled at their ends in a rectangular frame 89 which surrounds the webs 86 and normally rests upon the plate 85. These parts are so constructed and arranged that when the elevator is lowered to receive a loaded sled from the conveyor 61, the frame 89 will rest upon fixed stops 98 (Fig. 11) and the plate 85 will be lowered below the frame so that the long rollers 88 will be held above the short rollers 81 to form in effect an inclined continuation of the conveyor 61. After the loaded sled is in place on the rollers 88, the elevator will be raised, bringing the short rollers 81 upwardly to support the sled,-while the frame 89 is carried upwardly by the plate 85, with the rollers 88 below and out of contact with the sled.

As the elevator 12 approaches its uppermost position, the plate 85 is tilted laterally in order to discharge the sled by gravity from the rollers 81. Furthermore, the plate can be tilted in either direction, so that the coil can be returned to the rolling mill if further reduction is required, or it can be discharged in the opposite direction when the rolling has been completed. For this purpose a double-acting fluid-actuated motor 9| is secured to the bottom of the plate 85, this motor having a horizontal piston rod 92 which is connected to the platform 88. Lateral movement of the plate 85 is limited by vertical guides 93, and it follows that the motor 9| can be used to move the platform 88 laterally in either direction to the extent allowed by the horizontal slots 82. On opposite sides of the elevator there are provided fixed stops 94 and 95 so located that as the elevator approaches its uppermost position the lateral portion of the platform will engage one or the other of these stops, and the platform will be tilted about the nearest bolt 83 as a fulcrum, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

At the upper end of the conveyor 1| and at one side of the elevator 12 there is provided a set of spaced idler rollers 91 with their axes parallel with the rollers of the conveyor. The rollers 91 in effect form a continuation of the conveyor 1| sloping upwardly at th same inclination. Between the rollers 91 there are provided rows of short idler rollers 98 arranged with their axes perpendicular to the axes of the rollers 91. These short rollers 98 are journaled on a table 99 which can be raised or lowered by means of a singleacting fluid-actuated motor I88 therebeneath, whereby the rollers 98 may be positioned either above or below the rollers 91. When these rollers 98 are raised, they preferably provide a sled-supporting surface which slopes downwardly away from the elevator 12. Between the elevator and the table 98 there is provided a single idler roller I8I parallel to the rollers 81 and 98.

On the opposite side of the conveyor 61 from the rolling mill 28 there is shown a third gravity conveyor I83 of the idler roller type which is spaced from and parallel to the conveyor 81 but inclines in the opposite direction, (Fig. l) This third conveyor may serve to transport the finished coils of stock to any desired location. At the upper end of the conveyor I83 and at one side of the elevator 12 there is provided a set of spaced idler rollers I84 with their axes parallel with the rollers of the conveyor. The rollers I84 in effect form a continuation of the conveyor I83 sloping upwardly at the same inclination. Between the rollers I84 there are provided rows of short idler rollers I85 arranged with their axes perpendicular to the axes of the rollers I84. These short rollers I85 are journaled on a table I88 which can be raised or lowered by means of a single-acting fluid-actuated motor I81 therebeneath, whereby the rollers I85 may be positioned either above or below the rollers I84. When these rollers I85 are raised, they preferably provide a sled supporting surface which slopes downwardly away from the elevator 12. Between the elevator and the table I88 there is provided a series of idler rollers I88 parallel to the rollers 81 and I85 and forming a short gravity conveyor leading laterally at a slight downward inclination from the elevator.

Means is provided to control the discharge of the loaded sleds from the conveyor 61 to the elevator 12. For this purpose there is provided an escapement mechanism I89 (Fig. 11) comprising a horizontal lever I|8 located beneath the lower end of the conveyor and pivoted centrally on a transverse shaft |I|. Brake shoes H2 and I 53 are mounted on the opposite ends of the lever and adapted to contact alternately with two of the conveyor rollers as the lever is rocked back and forth. This rocking movement may be imparted to the lever by means of a fluid-actuated motor II'4 connected to an arm |I5 depending from the lever. The brake shoes are spaced apart a distance slightly exceeding the length of the sleds 48, and the various part are so constructed and arranged that when the lever is rocked in one direction to lower the brake shoe H3 and allow the discharge of the end sled on to the elevator, the brak shoe II2 will be raised against the roller thereabove to prevent discharge of the second sled in the row. Then after the first sled has been discharged the lever will be rocked back to its original position and the whole row of sleds will advance to the end of the conveyor, where they will be stopped by the braking effect of the shoe I13 on the last conveyor roller.

Means is also provided to control the discharge of the loaded sleds from th conveyor 1| to the transfer car 21, and for this purpose we ma utilize an escapement mechanism IIB (Fig. 1) located beneath the delivery end of the conveyor. This mechanism may be similar to the escapement I89 shown in Fig. 11, and it is therefore believed unnecessary to illustrate its construction in detail.

After each coil ha been transferred from the conveyor 1| to the arbor 2| by means of th car 21, the corresponding sled 4D is placed in a position where it is available for us on the car 56, for removing a coil from the arbor 55. In order to avoid the necessity for manual handling of the empty sleds, we provide agravity conveyor I I8 (Figs. 1 and 3) of the idler roller type which is located between the track 36 and the track 58, in substantial alignment with the conveyor 1I-. This conveyor IIB slopes downwardly towardthe track 58, and its angle of slope is preferably steeper than that of the other conveyors since it handle only empty sleds, which will not move asreadily as the loaded sleds. The upper end of the conveyor H8 is somewhat higher than the discharge end of the conveyor 1|, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the table 38 of the car 21 must be raised to bring the sled into position for delivery to the conveyor. Th parts are so arranged that the upward movement of the table 38, to bring it into line with the conveyor I I8, will automatically effect withdrawal of the stop 42 and allow the sled to move on to the conveyor by the action of gravity. This is brought about by the provision of a stationary stop H8 (Fig. 3) which is engaged by the pin 43 as the table 38 approaches the proper position for discharge of the sled.

At the lower end of the conveyor H8 there is provided a stop I2I which serves to hold the empty sleds on the conveyor until the car 56 is ready to receive them. The withdrawal of this stop I2I is preferably effected automatically as the car 56 reaches a position in line with the conveyor while on its way toward the arbor 55, but the stop is not withdrawn when the car passes the conveyor while traveling in the opposite direction. This is brought about by mounting the stop I2I for a vertical sliding movement in suitable guides I22 (Fig. 13), the stop having lugs I23 projecting on opposite sides, these lug being normally held upwardly against fixed pins I24 by means of coiled springs I25. On the face of the stop I2I there is mounted a dog I21 having an inclined upper surface I28 arranged to lie in the path of the cam roller 68 as the car 56 moves toward the coiler 54, this cam roller serving to force the dog I21 and the stop I2I downwardly and thus cause an empty sled to be discharged from the conveyor I I8 to the car. The dog I21 is pivotally secured to the stop I2I by means of a pin I29, and the dog normally hangs from this pin with one side of the dog engaging a pin. I36 on the stop I2I, this pin serving to prevent the dog from turning in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 13. After the car, with an empty sled thereon, has left the conveyor H8, the springs I25 will raise the stop I2I to it operative position. Upon the return movement of the car, with a loaded sled thereon, the cam roller 68 will strike the upper portion of the dog I21 and swing it in a clockwise direction about the pin I29 without moving the stop I2I, and after the passage of the cam roller the dog will return to its original position by its own weight.

In many cases it will be found advantageou to provide automatic controls which will bring about the transfer of the loaded sleds successively from the conveyor 61 to the conveyor ll (or to the conveyor I83 when desired). One suitable arrangement of automatic controls for this purpose is shown diagrammatically in Figs. 14, and 16. On the elevator 12 there is mounted a normally open double pole limit switch I32 which is arranged to be closed by engagement of a loaded sled therewith whenever such a sled is on the elevator. There are also provided a normally open single pole limit switch I33 which is arranged to beclosed whenever the elevator is in its lower position, and a normally closed single pole limit switch I34 which is arranged to be opened whenever the elevator is in its lower position. Adjacent the tabl 99 there is mounted a normally open single pole limit switch I35, and adjacent the table I36 there is provided a similar limit switch I36. Each of the switches I35 and I36 is arranged to be closed by engagement of a loaded sled therewith whenever such a sled is above the corresponding table. Near the upper end of the conveyor 1I there is provided a normally closed single pole limit switch I31, and near the upper end of the conveyor I03 there is provided a similar limit switch I38. Each of the switches I31 and I38 is arranged to be closed by engagement of a loaded sled therewith whenever such a sled is located on the adjacent portion of the corresponding conveyor. A manually actuated selector switch I39 is provided to con trol the direction (right or left, as viewed in Figs. 9 and 10) toward which the loaded sleds will be disharged from the elevator. This switch I39 is of the single-pole double-throw type and, as shown in Fig. 16, it is connected between the limit switch I32 and a main power lead I 46, the other power lead being designated as MI. The current supply to the power leads is controlled by a switch I42.

The elevator motor 13 is supplied with electric current from a source I44 through a pair of normally open three-pole switches I45 and I46 which are actuated by coils I41 and I48 respectively. The coil I41 also controls a normally closed contact I49, and the coil I48 controls a normally closed contact I50. When the switch I45 is closed, by energizing the coil I41, the motor 16 will be operated in a direction to raise the elevator 12, and when the switch I46 is closed, by energizing the coil I48, the motor 16 will be operated in the reverse direction to lower the elevator 12.

The motor II4 which actuates the escapement mechanism I09 (Fig. 11) is controlled by a suitable four-way solenoid valve of well-known type having a solenoid I52 (Fig. 16). These parts are so constructed and arranged that when the solenoid is de-energized, the motor I I4 will hold the brake shoe H3 in contact with the roller thereabove, thus preventing delivery of a loaded sled to the elevator, whereas when the solenoid is energized the motor I I4 will lower the shoe I I3 and raise the shoe II2 thus allowing one loaded sled to move by gravity on to the elevator. The current supply to the solenoid I52 is controlled by the limit switch I33, which is connected in series therewith. across the power leads I4II-I4I.

The motor 9| (Figs. 9 and 10), which controls the direction in which the platform will be tipped as the elevator reaches its upper position, is controlled by a suitable four-way solenoid valve of well-known type havingtwo solenoids I54 and I55 (Fig. 16). These parts are so constructed and arranged that when the solenoid I54 is energized the platform 80 will be tipped downwardly to the right, as shown in Fig. 10, when the elevator is raised, whereas when the solenoid I55 is energized the platform will be tipped downwardly to the left, as shown in Fig. 9, when the elevator is raised. The motorsv I00 and I01 are controlled by suitable three-way solenoid valves having solenoids I56 and I51 respectively (Fig. 16) so arranged that energization of the solenoids will cause the motors. to elevate their respective tables 99 and I06. The solenoid I56 is connected in parallel with the solenoid I54, and the solenoid I51 is connected in parallel with the solenoid I55.

In order to control the energization of the var- 2 I61. In addition we provide a coil I69 arrangedto actuate two normally open contacts I and HI, this same coil serving to actuate a normally closed contact I12. The selector switch I39 is connected in, series with one pole of the limit switch I32, the limit switch I31, the coil I59 and the contact I12. The selector switch is also connected in series with the other pole of the limit switch I32, the limit switch I38, the coil I64 and the contact I12. The contact I60 is connected in parallel with the selector switch I39, limit switch I32 and limit switch I 31, and this contact may be shunted by a normally open push button I14. The contact I65 is connected in parallel with the selector switch I39, limit switch I 32 and limit switch I38, and this contact may be shunted by a normally. open push button I15. The contact I6I controls the circuit through the solenoids I54 and I56, and the contact I66 controls the circuit through the solenoids I55 and I51. The contacts I62 and I61 are connected in parallel, and control a series circuit through the contact I58 and the coil I41. The contact I10, the limit switch I35 and the limit switch I36 are connected in parallel, and control a series circuit through the limit switch I34 and the coil I69. The contacts I49 and HI are connected in series with the coil I48.

The operation of the invention will now be apparent from the above disclosure. Coils of metal strip are delivered by any suitable means to the chute 26, and roll down this chute until they are stopped by the dogs 28. The transfer car 21 is moved into line with the chute, a sled 40 is placed on the car, the dogs 29 are raised to hold back the coils thereabove, the dogs 28 are lowered to allow one coil to roll on to the sled. Thereupon the dogs 26 are raised and the dogs 29 lowered, allowing the line of coils to roll downwardly until stopped by the dogs 28. The car 21 is then moved along the track 36, the coil is placed upon the arbor 2|, which is expanded to grip the coil, the end of the strip is entered in the mill 26, and the brake 23 is applied. While the strip is passing through the mill, the transfer car 21 may be returned to the chute 26 for the next coil."

On issuing from the mill the strip is coiled upon the arbor 55, and as soon as the rear end of the strip leaves the arbor 2I' the next coil can be placed thereon. Upon completion of the coil on the arbor 55, the transfer car 56 is moved beneath the coil, an empty sled having first been placed upon the car by hand from a suitable stack of sleds near the track 58. The arbor 55 is then collapsed, the car table 66 is raised until the weight of the coil is supported on the sled,

and the car is then moved along the track 58 to bring the coil into line with the conveyor 61. As the car approaches this conveyor, the cam roller 68 will engage the cam 69, and the table lower end of the conveyor.

along the conveyor 61 until they reach the end thereof, where they are stopped by the brake I I3, which has been applied previously by the opening of switch I42 and the resultant deenergization of solenoid I52. The car 56 will continue to supply loaded sleds to the conveyor 61 until this conveyor is nearly filled, whereupon the switch I42 will be closed, energizing solenoid I52, releasing brake I3, and applying brake I2. The first sled and coil will then roll on to the elevator table rollers 88, closing limit switch I32. With selector switch I39 positioned as shown in Fig. 16 this will energize coil I59, closing contacts I60, I6I, and I62. This will energize solenoids I54 and I56 and coil I41, closing switch I45. Solenoid I54 will cause motor 9| to shift platform to th right (in Fig. 10), and solenoid I56 will cause motor I66 to elevate table 99 with rollers 98. Switch I45 will cause motor 16 to raise the elevator table 13, which will raise the short rollers 81 slightly above the long rollers 88, the rollers 81 then serving to support the sled and coil while the upward movement continues. As soon as the elevator has started upwardly, switch I34 will close and switch I33 will open, deenergizing solenoid I52, releasing brake H2, and applying th brake I I3. This will allow the loaded sleds on the conveyor 61 to advance to the As the elevator reaches its uppermost position the right-hand portion of the platform 80 will engage the fixed stop 95, as shown in Fig. 10, and the platform with the rollers 81 will be tipped downwardly to the right. The sled and coil will then move by gravity over the roller IIII on to the rollers 98, opening the limit switch I32 and closing the limit switch I35. While this is taking place, the oil from the elevator pump 15 may be by-passed through a suitable relief valve. Closing of the switch I35 will energize coil I69 and open contact I12, deenergizing coil I59, opening contacts I66, I6I and I62. deenergizing coil I41, opening switch I45, closing contact I49, energizing coil I48 and closing switch I46. The motor 16 will thereupon reverse and start the elevator downwardly. Opening contact I6I will deenergize solenoids I54 and I56, lowering the rollers 98 until the loaded sled rests upon the rollers 91. The sled will then move by gravity on to the conveyor H and travel downwardly thereon until stopped by the escapement mechanism II6. As the elevator 12 descends to its lowermost position, the limit switch I33 will close and limit switch I34 will open, and as the sled leaves the table 99 the limit switch I35 will open. This will deenergize coil I69, opening contacts I19 and HI, deenergizing coil I48, and opening switch I46, thus stopping the motor 16. Closing limit switch I33 will energize solenoid I52, thus releasing brake I I3 and applying brake II2, whereupon another loaded sled will move on to the elevator. This will continue until the conveyor H is filled with loaded sleds, so that the last sled delivered thereto will hold the limit switch I31 open, thereby preventing operation of the elevator. Thereafter the loaded sleds will be allowed to accumulate on the conveyor 61 until all the first batch has passed once through the rolling mill.

The rolling mill 20 will now be adjusted to effect a further reduction in the thickness of the strip. The car 21 will be moved into line with the conveyor II, and the escapement mechanism IIG will be operated under manual control to allow one loaded sled to move downwardly on to the car. The car will then be moved along the track 36 to place the coil upon the arbor 2| whereupon the car with the empty sled will return to its former position between the conveyors 'II and H8. The car table 38 will now be raised until the pin 43 engages the fixed stop II9 (Fig. 3), and this will effect withdrawal of the stop 42 and allow the empty sled to move downwardly along the conveyor I I8 to the stop I2 I. The table 38 will then be lowered to receive another loaded sled from the conveyor 1|. In the meantime, the metal strip in the first coil is passing through the mill and being recoiled on the arbor 55. As the transfer car 56 moves along the track 58 to remove the completed coil from this arbor, the cam roller 68 will engage the sloping surface I28 on the dog I21 and force the dog and the stop I2I downwardly against the pressure of the springs I25, thus allowing the empty sled to move by gravity from the conveyor II8 to the car table 6|. This sled will then be used to support the coil. This mode of operation will continue until all the coils have received their second reduction and are assembled on the conveyors 61 and II, whereupon the mill 20 will be readjusted for a third reduction.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the coils may be given any desired number of reductions, and because of the large storage facilities afforded by the conveyors it is possible to roll the coils in large batches, thus decreasing the cost of manufacture. As soon as the first coil has received its final reduction and reaches the brake I I3, the operator will throw the selector switch I39 to the position opposite that shown in Fig. 16. Thus the coil I54 will be controlled instead of the coil I59, and the solenoids I55 and I! will be controlled instead of the solenoids I54 and I56. Consequently when the elevator reaches its uppermost position the rollers 81 will be tipped downwardly to the left, as shown in Fig. 9, and the loaded sled will move across the rollers I08 to the rollers I05, which will be lowered automatically until the sled rests upon the rollers I04, whereupon the sled will travel along the conveyor I03 to any desired location. It will be understood that the limit switches I36 and I38 will function in a manner similar to the limit switches I35 and I31, so that a further detailed description of their operation is believed to be unnecessary. The purpose of the push buttons I14 and I15 is to permit manual control of the elevator and associated parts, thereby facilitating inspections and lubrication.

It will be seen that the mill 20 can be maintained in substantially continuous operation, for as soon as one coil is completed and removed from the arbor 55 the rolling of the next coil can begin. The wooden sleds 40 are light and inexpensive, and they will not mar or scratch the coils. Nor do the coils have to be unwound to remove them from the sleds, as is the case when spools are utilized for coil supports. The gravity conveyors are much less expensive than power driven conveyors, both in initial cost and in the .cost of operation. In addition, they are more reliable.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Coil handling apparatus for a rolling mill having means to form metal strip delivered by the mill into hollow cylindrical coils and a series of sleds arranged to support the coils with their axes substantially horizontal by engaging the outer cylindrical surfaces of the coils from beneath the same, each sled having a substantially flat bottom and an upper surface shaped to form a trough for the reception of a coil therein, comprising an inclined gravity conveyor of the idler roller type, means to transfer sleds with coils thereon from the coil forming means to the upper end of the conveyor, a second inclined gravity conveyor of the idler roller type arranged with its upper end adjacent to the lower end of the first conveyor but at a higher elevation, means including an elevator to transfer sleds with coils thereon from the lower end of the first conveyor to the upper end of the second conveyor, and means to transfer sleds with coils thereon from the lower end of the second conveyor to the in let side of the rolling mill, the two conveyors having sufiicient length to provide storage space for a substantial number of loaded sleds, whereby the coils may be rolled in batches.

2. Coil handling apparatus for a rolling mill having means to form metal strip delivered by the mill into coils and a series of sleds adapted to support the coils by engaging the outer surfaces thereof comprising an inclined gravity conveyor of the idler roller type extending substantially parallel with the direction of stock travel through the mill, a track at right angles with the conveyor and extending from the coiling mechanism to the upper end of the conveyor, a car movable on the track to transfer the sleds with the coils thereon to a position in line with the conveyor, the car having a table provided with idler rollers extending parallel with the track and forming a support for the sleds, and means to tilt the table laterally and cause it to slope downwardly toward the conveyor as the table reaches the conveyor, whereby the loaded sleds will be placed upon the conveyor.

3. Coil handling apparatus for a rolling mill having means to form metal strip delivered by the mill into coils and a series of sleds adapted to support the coils by engaging the outer surfaces thereof comprising a track extending from the coiling mechanism, a car movable on the track and having a, table provided with idler rollers extending parallel to the track and forming a support for the sleds, a gravity conveyor of the idler roller type extending at right angles with the track and inclined downwardly therefrom, a second gravity conveyor of the idler roller type extending at right angles with the track and inclined downwardly theretoward, the second conveyor being located at the same side of the track as the first conveyor and between the latter and the rolling mill, means to tilt the table laterall and cause it to slope downwardly toward the first conveyor when in line therewith and downwardly away from the second conveyor when in line therewith, and mechanism to transfer loaded sleds from the first conveyor to the inlet side of the rolling mill and to return the empty sleds to the second conveyor.

4. Coil handling apparatus for a rolling mill having means to form metal strip delivered by the mill into coils and a series of sleds arranged to support the coils from beneath the same and having flat bottom surfaces comprising an inclined gravity conveyor of the idler roller type, means to transfer the loaded sleds to the upper end of the conveyor, a second inclined gravity adjacent to the lower end of the first conveyor but at a higher elevation, an elevator arranged to receive loaded sleds from the lower end of the first conveyor, selectively operable means to transfer the loaded sleds from the elevator to either the second or the third conveyors as desired, and means to transfer the loaded sleds from the lower end of the second conveyorto the inlet side of the rolling mill.

MYLES MORGAN.

LEONARD W. NASH.

Patent No. 2,296,685.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

September 22, 19342.

MYLES MORGAN, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 7, for "happy" read --heavy--; page 5, second column, line 12, for "releasing brake l5, and applying brake 12" read "releasing brake 115, and applying brake ll2- end that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the rec- 0rd of the case in the Patent Office. 7

Signed and sealed this 27th day of October, A. D. 1911.2.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

